Smoking on start up

Valve guide seals and possible the actual valve guides are worn out but a new set of seals will help but to change these you will have to remove the cylinder head

Your radiator is leaking internally, leaking transmission fluid from the transmission fluid cooler into the radiator where the coolant is. You can't fix it, just get the radiator replaced and then flush the coolant.

when was the last time you gave it a tune up that is what is needing

The oil rings on the pistons may be stuck, gummed up. I would remove the spark plugs and and see if you can find some Combustion Chamber Cleaner or some other type of cleaner that will cut carbon and oil sludge. Put about .5 oz in each cylinder over night and in the morning spin the enigne over a few timers and then replace the plugs and go drive it a few miles. That may get the rings unstuck.

has the car had fuel contamination petrol in deisel has that effect>but some deisels do that in the morning it may need a service but mondeos are smokey any way hope ive helped you

There could be a few things causing this. When the car finally starts, is there any smoke coming out the exhaust pipe? White smoke would mean your headgasket is leaking and is letting coolant into the engine, then it is burned along with the fuel. Does the car run hot? Meaning has it ever overheated? Back to the smoke, if its black, your oil is getting in and is burning.

Now, the reason why it would be hard for a car to start, could be, a leaking headgasket, flooding the car while the car is sitting.

And yes, the car would be able to crank, but just wont start, for a while...because it has to get rid of all that fluid that has leaked into the engine while sitting at night.

Another thing you could look at, is your fuel pump, is it supplying a sufficient amount of pressure? If it isnt, it will take a while for it to pressurize and deliver fuel into the engine. You can check the fuel pump yourself by renting a fuel pump pressure tool from stores like autozone, kragen and more.

Your gas cap on tightly?

Good luck with your problem.

you have water in the fuel line

the intakes go bad on these engines....... they leak coolant in the cylinders and cause a hydro lock that causes the rods to bend making the piston skirt hit the crank......" clicking noise" theres a law suit in progress for this issue......... you can find info on the internet

With the engine running at normal temperature, put a bent paperclip between gnd and ten in the diagnosis box (
Left side of engine bay above the shock tower)
Under a plastic bung on the throttle body where the big black tube fits in near throttle cable, turn the screw until the revs are about 800-900 rpm ,Remove the clip and your done!.

try second hand book stores